F
242%
Overall NAT. AVG.
21%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
764%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Manhattan Beach California National
Cost of living342143100
Goods & Services121115100
Groceries109108100
Health care96103100
Housing864197100
Transportation138136100
Utilities109144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Manhattan Beach, CA

The cost of living in Manhattan Beach affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Manhattan Beach is 342, which is 242% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Manhattan Beach is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Manhattan Beach falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Manhattan Beach cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 763.6%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Manhattan Beach, these items will cost you 21% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Manhattan Beach?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 10 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Manhattan Beach. The results indicated that 10% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 90% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Manhattan Beach Affordable?

Wondering if Manhattan Beach is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Manhattan Beach, for example, the median home price is 1016.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 173.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Manhattan Beach boasting a median household income of $233,666, which is 187.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Manhattan Beach?

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Manhattan Beach, the groceries index is 9.3% higher than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Manhattan Beach, is 763.6% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Manhattan Beach comes in at 8.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Manhattan Beach cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Manhattan Beach is 139% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Manhattan Beach is 242% higher than the national average
  • Manhattan Beach housing is 764% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Manhattan Beach

See all the best places to live around Manhattan Beach

Compare Manhattan Beach, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$277,449$23,121$6,473$8,324
      Renters$180,804$15,067$4,218$5,425
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Manhattan Beach, CA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Manhattan Beach, the median monthly income is $277,449 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $6,473 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $180,804, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $4,218 on monthly rental expenses.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Manhattan Beach National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.50$27.6210.4%
      Beauty Salon $103.42$51.11102.4%
      Toothpaste $4.01$4.092.0%
      Shampoo $1.58$1.542.5%
      Movie $19.57$12.8852.0%
      Yoga $25.22$19.6628.3%

      Groceries

      Item Manhattan Beach National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.52$7.702.4%
      Fried Chicken $3.59$1.66116.0%
      Milk $5.05$4.736.7%
      Potatoes $4.84$5.267.9%
      Pizza $17.09$12.7633.9%
      Beer $11.22$10.556.4%

      Health Care

      Item Manhattan Beach National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $164.27$140.0617.3%
      Doctor $132.64$153.8213.8%
      Dentist $133.17$123.158.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.21$11.734.1%
      Lipitor $17.86$23.6124.4%

      Housing

      Item Manhattan Beach National avg. Difference
      Home Price $3,646,706.00$326,622.001,016.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $6,403.73$2,480.25158.2%
      Apartment Rent $3,951.00$1,444.00173.6%

      Transportation

      Item Manhattan Beach National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.48$3.0646.6%
      Tire Balancing $76.25$65.2116.9%

      Utilities

      Item Manhattan Beach National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $251.64$220.1214.3%
      Phone $196.21$195.710.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Westside, CA21811818.1%
      Vernon, CA25411818.0%
      Rolling Hills CDP, CA85513736.8%
      Willowbrook, CA25,34713736.8%
      East Rancho Dominguez, CA15,76513837.9%
      Manhattan Beach, CA36,038342241.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      West Kelowna, BC36,030n/a 
      Orangevale, CA36,04614342.6%
      Pleasant Hill, CA35,99519897.7%
      Owings Mills, MD35,99511919.3%
      Westmont, CA36,08814646.4%
      Manhattan Beach, CA36,038342241.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.